Howdah are gimicy as they don't do the anticav well per cost. But they do amazing in small numbers vs anything. They also do well vs their counters compared to zams.
They also suffer from getting snared and since gurka are kinda tanks feeling they can sit in front of zams. The howdah don't clear hand cav fast enough for that dynamic.
That's my take on why I like zams in fort if you are try Harding. high level games this applies to.
In games where people struggle to kite Urumi etc. and sepoys (muskets in general) are stronger and people are standing and fighting more then zams are much harder to manage.
Most of the reasons to go sepoy roll into two categories, lag or bad imo. Unfortunately I'm also bad now so I probably should go sepoy when / if I play again.
